The Popcorn Review

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Contents Page

Foreword………………………………………………………..3

Upcoming Releases from Film Club…………………5

The World of Films………………………………………….6

Classic Films………………………………………………….13

Modern Films……………………………………………….17

Foreign Films……………………………………………..…24

TV Series……………………………………………………….31

Films made from Books………………………………..35

Films which teachers can’t believe students

haven’t seen!...................................................38

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Foreword Ayush Nagara - 13S

Over the past 20 months or so, films and TV have been an excellent distraction

from the woes of the world. Whether it be watching a movie with family on a

Friday night, or competing against friends to see who can race through the latest

series the quickest, there’s no denying that they give us a lot of satisfaction.

The Film Club Team and I have put together The Popcorn Review, which contains

a variety of recommendations and articles, written by students and staff. We

hope that the school community can have a read of some of these and watch the

recommended films over the holidays or weekends, as I’m sure many of you also

struggle with choosing something when watching TV!

The Film Club Team ● Ayush Nagara: Founder of Film Club

● Varakan Gopu: Lead Editor

● Varnan Gopu: Co-Editor

● Daniel Wainewright: Co-Editor

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Thanks to everyone who has contributed to or helped to

produce The Popcorn Review including:

Nikhil Kumar Karnam - 7B

Arnav Mohley - 7H

Dan Tsang - 7S

Nathan Oluyemi - 7S

Pratham Jawarahani - 7S

Viraaj Malik - 7S

Arjun Bhatt - 8G

Arnik Gurung - 8H

Egemen Oztop - 8S

Sanjiv Karthikeyan - 9C

Pavamaan Jagalur - 9S

Jack Ramsay - 10H

Abhinav Kachiraju - 10S

Toni Perni - 10S

Dylan Patel - 11B

Conor O’Shea - 11C

Dhiraj Venkat – 12C

Atharva Narkhede - 13G

Tom Hubner - 13S

Ms Amoako-Williams

Ms Atwell

Miss Banner

Mr Edge

Mr Elwood

Miss Horton

Mr Lynch

Ms O’Dowd

Mr Polniaszek

Miss Roberts

Mrs Ware

Ms Wells-Cole

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Upcoming Releases from Film Club

At Film Club, students from different year groups work together to create their

own short films and everything from the script-writing to the editing is done by

us! Film-making has been such an enjoyable experience for us, with many

committed cast and crew members staying late after school to shoot our projects,

while the ideas are brainstormed at the weekly club.

We hope to share and release some of our projects to the school including the

following:

● Elastic: We thought that there’s no better way to raise awareness about

mental health through the medium of film, and this project illustrates the

unfolding of a battle against mental illness faced by ordinary students.

(Post-Production)

● Period 1: This is a film about a year 8 class facing technical issues among

other problems during a period 1 lesson during the lockdown period.

(Completed)

● Paper: This is a short stop-motion animation project about the life of a

stick-man. (Post-Production)

● Unmei: This is a thriller story about an ex-student who wakes up to find

himself working in the same school 30 years later, but begins to relive some

unwanted memories. (Filming)

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Did you know that the

codes in The Matrix came

from sushi recipes?

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Cinema & Popcorn: Was it always meant to

be? Film Club Team

When we go to the cinema, the first snack on

everyone's mind is popcorn, but how did this

sweet and salty treat become so synonymous with

film?

Popcorn was extremely popular in the early 1900s,

but it was mainly a street food. Vendors saw the

increasing popularity of the cinema and decided to

set up shop outside their local theatres so

audiences could grab a quick snack on their way

inside. Popcorn was the ideal snack for films, since

it could be easily bought and could be eaten with

your hands without distraction. Seeing a business

opportunity, a few cinemas began to sell their own snacks for people to take to

films.

The cheap and easy large-scale production of popcorn was a no-brainer for

cinema owners, and the big glass cases with the enticing smell were the best

motivators for sales. Any competing sugary snacks were hit by the rationing in

World War 2, so popcorn was the only snack that persisted into the 60s. With the

advent of home popcorn makers and microwave popcorn, popcorn became a

fixture not only in cinemas but in family movie nights around the world. The

advertising industry made certain that consumers began to see popcorn as a fun,

cheap and satisfying snack that could be easily consumed at home. Hence, no

matter the place, popcorn will always be the snack for film.

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Shang Chi (12A) - Morality vs Profit

Jack Ramsay - 10H

Money.

The endless pursuit of profit.

Shang-Chi was designed with China in mind from the start. Much of

the dialogue is in Mandarin, and the ensemble includes some of the

biggest names in Asian cinema, including Michelle Yeoh and Tony

Leung, who is making his Hollywood debut. It was thought that by

making such a film, due to China having the largest population on

Earth, profits would skyrocket.

At first, the film was highly acclaimed as a significant step forward in Hollywood's efforts to improve

Asian and Asian American representation.

In China, where movies are carefully restricted and the number of foreign releases each year is limited,

Shang-Chi hasn't received the same warm reception.

That hasn't stopped Marvel in the past: Avengers: Endgame (12A) grossed $629 million in mainland

China in 2019, more than any other foreign picture ever.

Officials haven't said why Shang-Chi has no release date, and the propaganda department of China's

ruling Communist Party, which regulates the country's film and TV industry, “didn't respond to a request

for comment.”

An important fact remains that Marvel tried to advertise their films specifically to a country that is

widely suspected of human rights abuses. A highly controversial morality question is at stake here.

It could be argued that at the end of the day, Marvel is a company and companies exist to make profit,

however that may be. At least one of the reasons why they went with this route is clear.

The endless pursuit of profit.

Money.

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Subbed or Dubbed? Tom Hubner - 13S

In watching Netflix’s new hit series Squid Game (15) a few months ago, my attention was drawn to one

of the biggest rivalries within television: subtitles versus dubbing. Happy to read and watch, I embraced

the authenticity of the programme by switching on subtitles, making sure to be watching the series as it

was made. However, I was horrified to learn that others were watching in English!

In watching the dubbed version, one becomes vulnerable to

edited lines - the English version, after all, is not a direct

translation of the South Korean language. The main joy from

film can be found in enjoying its creators’ intentions - Squid

Game, as one example, is an extremely carefully crafted series

which, if even slightly edited, can give way to a different, or

weaker message. Watching with subtitles embraces the

culture of the programme, and ensures that its intended

message is fully grasped. Watching it dubbed, however, can skew its presentation, and mask some of

the South Korean culture which is so central to its meaning. Besides this, the audio of dubbed television

tends to be criminally out of time with the visuals, which is simply irritating!

Admittedly, subtitles are not always necessary. For example, Money Heist

(18) is generally watched in English, despite its Spanish origins. This is

understandable. After all, the series is extremely action packed and dramatic,

with a far greater entertainment purpose and giving much less focus to

dialogue itself. It is therefore important to consider the nature of television

before deciding how to watch it.

Subtitles are dismissed by many for various reasons. Some claim that

television is intended for relaxation, which is ruined by the prospect of

reading and strained focus. Others claim that the tone of films cannot be

understood by subtitling in a different language, corrupting humour or

emotion, or that the subtitles are a diluted version of the original dialogue.

However, it would be far more harmful to the film’s portrayal if the audio of the original language is

compromised by dubbing, as the expressions would differ.

While subtitles may require some focus, the overall enjoyment of watching a film is not hindered. So,

though it is important to consider the nature of the programme, subtitles are the clear winner of this

much disputed rivalry.

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2.0 (12A) : The Most Expensive Indian Film -

Was the film worth its cost?

Varnan Gopu - 13S

Many of you may have thought that Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (12A) was the most expensive

Indian film ever created. Even after watching the film in the cinema, I would have never

thought 2.0 would be so expensive at over £57.2 million to produce. To put this value in to

perspective, Baahubali 2 cost £25.1 million, less than half of what 2.0 costs. This large

difference in cost leads us to wonder: was 2.0 any good?

Directed by Shankar, 2.0 is a Tamil-language

science-fiction action film and the sequel of

Enthiran (12A). The protagonist, Vaseegaran, is

a scientist that created the robot Chitti to be

used in the Indian Army. Both Vaseegaran and

Chitti are played by the actor Rajinikanth. The

antagonist, Pakshi Rajan, is a deceased

ornithologist (scientist that studies birds) that

sought to tell people about how mobile phone radiation can kill birds. When he failed to do so,

his spirit wreaked havoc on people’s lives to rid the world of mobile phones - culminating in a

massive fight between Chitti and Pakshi at a football match. Like any typical Tamil action film,

the protagonist wins in the end - allowing life to return to normality whilst controlling mobile

phone radiation. A pleasing ending but one that anyone familiar to Kollywood, Tamil cinema,

would expect.

The music in this film, created by A.R. Rahman, is heavily bass-boosted to reflect the robotics in

the film and is particularly effective in cinemas. This, compounded with the 3D aspect to the

film and the usage of helicams and CGI by the cinematographer Nirav Shah, made 2.0 a

spectacle to watch. Additionally, the prosthetics created by Legacy Effects, who have worked on

films such as Avatar, aided in bringing Shankar’s script to life.

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Critics lauded this film for its focus on a key social

issue - the overuse of technology and how that

impacts the animals around us. However, I felt as if

the antagonist, Pakshi Rajan, who represented this

cause was pathetic - obsessed with mobile phone

radiation to the point of insanity and his eventual

death. Rather than giving this cause any legitimacy,

Pakshi Rajan's obsession trivialises the genuine

concern of radiation by making it seem like a far-fetched conspiracy that only the craziest

people will believe.

Not only that, I felt that the ‘science’ was

simultaneously too real and too fake - although

mobile phone radiation is a true phenomenon,

stating that it is caused by an ‘aura’ makes the issue

seem irrelevant to our society.

Finally, in my opinion, the film simply covers too

much to explore anything in satisfactory detail that

will leave the viewer wanting more. For example,

Chitti and his assistant, Nila (contraction of “Nice, Intelligent, Lovely Assistant”) fall in love, yet

we do not know how these feelings developed in either of them.

Overall, I would say that 2.0 was a waste of money - preaching that radiation is something that

everyone should care about, but ultimately making a mockery of the social issue. Perhaps, you

may be allured by the disjointedness of the film or the cinematography behind it. However, for

£57.2 million, I would expect the film to, at the very least, have a coherent story to tell. After

all, 2.0 may be dubbed in over 15 languages yet it makes sense in none of them.

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According to Guiness World Records,

the oldest film ever made is a French

film called Roundhay Garden Scene,

which lasted 2.11 seconds and was

directed by Louis Le Prince.

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The Sound of Music (U) Arnav Mohley - 7H

The Sound of Music is a classic film from 1965. It

is set in Salzburg, Austria during the Second

World War. It tells the story of a nun named

Maria (with a passion for being mischievous)

who is sent to the house of a naval officer

named Georg von Trapp to be the governess of

his seven motherless children.

As the film progresses, Maria brings love as well as music into Georg's life.

Eventually, Maria marries him and she trains the children to sing. However,

Austria is being invaded by Nazis and the family is being chased by Hitler's

soldiers. Can they find a way to flee Austria? Be warned: the songs are extremely

catchy!

Mr Elwood

Quite a long film, filmed on location in Salzburg. This has gained such a following

that an entire tourism industry has sprung up around taking tourists round the

film locations in the city. Have a watch and a sing-song to see what all the fuss is

about!

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The Third Man (PG) Mr Edge

The greatest British film ever made and possibly the world’s best too. The great American actor Orson

Welles tends to take all the plaudits, particularly for his sensationally improvised ‘cuckoo clock’ speech,

but there is genius at work everywhere, from the inspired direction of Carol Reed, to Graham Greene’s

masterful script and the haunting zither music of Anton Karas.

Conor O’Shea - 11C

Director: Carol Reed

Genre: Film Noir*

Cast

● Orson Welles (Harry Lime)

● Alida Valli (Anna Schmidt)

● Joseph Cotten (Holly Martins)

● Trevor Howard (Maj. Calloway)

● Bernard Lee (Sgt Paine)

Synopsis

After World War II, Vienna was controlled by the four allied countries, USA, Britain, France and Russia.

Joseph Cotten plays Holly Martins, an American writer of Western novels, who travels in poverty as a

guest of his childhood friend: Harry Lime. Yet, when he arrives in Vienna, he is told that Lime is dead,

and goes to the funeral. The accounts of his death seem unusual, and Holly learns there was a

mysterious “third man” at the scene. His suspicions lead him to become trapped in a mystery, in which

Harry's other companions seem to tell completely different stories.

The British police officer, Major Calloway, tells Holly that Lime was a criminal involved in the black

market, specifically with drugs. Holly, however, does not believe this. As he digs deeper into the

mystery, he starts to develop a relationship with Harry's old girlfriend, Anna Schmidt. She reveals to him

how Harry loved her and they become very close with each other. Martins visits Anna to disclose to her

that she might be deported to the Russians. As he leaves, he spots a figure in the shadows. Guess who?

It's Lime, who has faked his own death.

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Martins meets Lime the next day at the Riesenrad amusement

park, where he realises Lime’s lack of morality and cold, callous

outlook on life as a whole. Due to this realisation, Martins agrees to

help Calloway arrest Lime, under the condition that Anna is kept

safe and receives a safe path out of Vienna. When Anna refuses

this deal, Calloway takes Martins to the children's hospital to show

the devastation that Harry has caused by selling fake penicillin.

Martins (being a moral person) agrees to set a trap. Anna is still

loyal to Lime and warns him. He attempts to escape from the police, through the city’s sewers. This

leads to a breathtaking chase scene of pure cinematic genius.

Loss of Innocence

A key theme is the loss of innocence. Holly writes books about heroic figures who always prevail. He

trusts in his old friend at first, and is very reluctant to believe Harry Lime had done anything wrong. This

initial innocence is worn away throughout the movie, as Holly begins to realize how heartless Harry was.

This is represented especially well in the Ferris Wheel scene, where Holly realises that Harry could easily

kill him, and would do so to save himself. This is a contrast to the start of the film, where Holly fully

supports his friend, believing that he is truly innocent.

This contrast could show us one of two things: it might show us that Holly is naive and stupid to trust

Harry in the first place, as the police informed him about the situation. It might also show how easily

people can change because of greed. Harry's previous image (at least to Holly) as a good man is

repeatedly tarnished throughout the film as we learn of the horrible things he has done and, especially,

by his own words when he finally meets Holly. The violence, the drugs, and the betrayal of friends are all

motivated by greed and eventually lead Harry to his death in the place which is itself a dramatic

metaphor: the sewers.

The Nihilistic** View of Harry Lime

“If I offered you £20,000 for every dot that stopped - would you, old man, tell me to keep my money?”-

Harry Lime (atop the Ferris Wheel)

This warped outlook on human life is used by Lime to justify his actions. Harry’s view is that nothing

matters and that morality is just a perspective and an opinion, rather than something everyone should

follow. Whether this view has been developed throughout Harry's life or it is a product of war

(remember this is written in 1947), we do not know. Even his closest friend realises that he no longer

knows Harry.

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Striking Scenes

The (ending) Sewer Chase

As I previously mentioned, this scene is pure genius. The camera

shots and the incredible tension make this scene my favourite

movie scene ever, especially the dying seconds where Harry

clutches at the top of the drains. He is desperate to escape, but is

caught by Holly and eventually killed. The fact that Harry dies in the

same place where he began his horrific criminal activities is

symbolic: no matter how hard he tries to hide, his actions catch up

with him.

The Ferris Wheel Scene

This is another unbelievably well-crafted scene at the Riesenrad amusement park. Harry and Holly are

both atop the wheel here, and the tension is unmatched above any other scene in the film.

Things To Think About

● Does the overall message of the film support Lime’s perspective, or does his fate suggest that his

worldview is wrong?

● Is there a message in the fact that Holly, in the end, shoots Lime?

● Does Harry make a convincing point about the futile nature of life? Or is he completely deluded

in his ideas?

Glossary

* Film Noir is a style of film-making that became popular in the mid-20th century, after World War II. It is

characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks,

intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.

**Nihilism is a view of the world that rejects morality or even meaning in life.

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George Lucas’s dog

inspired the character of

Chewbacca in Star Wars.

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Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (U) Dan Tsang - 7S

Recently, I’ve watched Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Whilst I have not

watched Star Wars before this, I found the story and characters to be

rather likeable. During the final scene, even though it is obvious that the

‘good guys’ will win, the movie still makes you want to know how they win.

Whilst the CGI looks outdated now, the graphics don’t distract from the

acting. Overall, I think that the movie is entertaining, hence I would highly

recommend it.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

(12) Arjun Bhatt - 8G

Since we all have been stuck indoors for the majority of

these past 2 years, the movies released this year were a

great refresher. Particularly, Marvel’s release of Shang-

Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings was the highlight of

this year. This movie brought so much to the screen, with

all sorts of captivating effects and an alluring storyline.

Simu Liu (Shang-Chi) and Awkwafina (Katy) were such a

funny and heart-warming duo throughout the story and

brought more layers to the film, with ideas about betrayal and friendship always shining through.

Another aspect of the movie was something that Marvel had never attempted before – the special

effects. They were some of the most mesmerising effects used that transported me to the world they

had built. From the water droplets forming a forest to the final fight, each scene left its own unique

imprint even days after the film. The final thing I have to say about this film was the plot. Unlike many

Marvel films, this had a less dramatic plot, but a deeper storyline that didn’t make it feel like a Marvel

film at all and more like a one-off movie filled with action and I think many of you would enjoy it.

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Luca (U) Nathan Oluyemi - 7S

Luca is a film about adventure. It is set in Milan

and from there, the protagonist goes on a wild

adventure. I think the film shows us to explore

the world, whatever the risks may be. Luca is a

strong-willed character who is ready to explore

the outside world and there is absolutely no

stopping him. Later, we find out that his

parents are looking for him. He realises that at

the end of the day, family is of the utmost

importance. That is not the only storyline in

the plot, otherwise it would be a very direct and unengaging film. Additionally, there are subplots to

help thicken the main plot.

Although it is a very good film, there are some downsides. If I were to nitpick and explain every mistake

that this film made, this review would be long so I will go through the main mistake. The plot sometimes

jumps around a lot, so the story can be hard to understand. Apart from that, the film is superb.

Penguin Bloom (PG) Pavamaan Jagalur - 9S

Penguin Bloom is a strong story about how a woman, who loses the ability to

move her legs and loses hope, is inspired by a magpie (called ‘Penguin’) to

not give up and continue to live life. It is an exceptional story, really giving a

sense of courage. Its moral is that even though there are setbacks in life, you

must rise over them and continue to move on.

Throughout the film, there are emotional scenes where the mother (who lost

the ability to move her legs) is disheartened. The scenes are wonderfully

executed, allowing the audience to feel sympathy towards the protagonist

and connect with the movie. It strengthens the understanding of the message

and allows them to implement this into their lifestyle. I really enjoyed this

movie as it is very engaging, and I would recommend it to anyone.

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Milk (15) Mr Lynch

The 2009 film Milk is a gripping and visually

spectacular depiction of the LGBTQ+ hero and

American elected politician Harvey Milk and his

journey to becoming one of the greatest heroes of

equality of all time. Sean Penn’s acting as the titular

character is outstanding, to the point of uncanny

(without being parodic) – and you might find

yourself Googling all sorts of people and places

after watching!

The Thomas Crown Affair (15) By Mr Polniaszek

Thomas Crown Affair had the first really

effective use of a compartmentalised, super-

wide screen. There are multiple separate

“windows”, all simultaneously displaying

different story fragments. Unfortunately, it is

best watched in a cinema to truly appreciate

the way you are directed to different areas of

multi-action windows. Something which is now

common was completely new for this film and I would argue that it was done more effectively

here.

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Coach Carter (12) Dylan Patel - 11B

Background and Cast

This fictional sports film was made in 2005 and is directed by

Thomas Carter. The cast includes the likes of Samuel. L.

Jackson as well as other less known actors like Robert Richard,

Rick Gonzalez and Rob Brown.

Plot Overview

The film is about a group of high school students in the city

of Richmond. Many are impoverished or from a deprived

background and no one really has any faith in them. All of

the students featured in the film play for the school

basketball team, which is considered to be a bit of a joke.

The team struggles until Coach Carter (played by Samuel. L.

Jackson), a former student of the school, comes and starts

coaching them. Initially there are a few bumps in the road. For example, they lose a couple of their star

players because they won’t obey a contract which Coach Carter made for them, and the team suffers

from the antics of Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez) and “Worm” (Antwon Turner). But after their shaky start,

the team started to gel together and play well. They reach the cusp of greatness as they arrive at the

playoffs.

However, St Francis (a private school from the area) awaits. They fall to this familiar foe, who has a

history of dominating them. This is not the end though for the students. Because of the hard work they

put into studying, many of the players have the opportunity to go to college, something not many

people from Richmond have the opportunity to do.

Message of the movie

Coach Carter is not just about sports. The importance of perseverance is highlighted in the film, through

the trials and tribulations that each character has to face. The film alerts you to the dangers of adult life

in the real world. It also highlights the importance of being a student athlete and being well-rounded in

your life - not just studying 24 hours a day, or playing sports without paying any attention to school.

It teaches us not to believe and conform to popular stereotypes. Additionally, if you dream and want

something badly enough, it is possible to get it through hard work.

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Favourite part of the movie

Personally, my favourite part of the movie is where Timo Cruz is given a second chance to join the

basketball team. I have to admit that he is my favourite character too, which may or may not have

influenced my decision. The task before him seems impossible, but with the help of the teammates, he

is able to meet the conditions that Coach Carter set out for him in order for him to return to the team.

Afterwards, when he steps back onto the hardwood, we can see that he is determined to prove all the

haters wrong and impress his coach. This showcase of determination and teamwork is the main reason

as to why this is my favourite scene.

The Pursuit of Happyness (12) Arnik Gurung - 8H

The Pursuit of Happyness is an inspirational life story about Mr Chris

Gardner (played by Will Smith), with a far from a normal lifestyle. He is

struggling to live off what he calls a job (selling a bone density scanner

which hardly contributes to the world of diagnosis), whilst juggling being a

father to his son, Christopher. The joyous faces of stockbrokers leaving a

nearby building inspires Chris, and he decides that this is what he wants to

do. With an approachable personality, he also has an amazing eye for

solving logical and numerical problems.

It is an empathetic film with the setting beautifully laid out, especially the

day-care and the numerous amounts of graffiti that adds to its stunning

details: all but average for Hollywood. Every emotion portrayed by Will

Smith is visible. He lives up to the intense and earnest person whom he is

playing.

His son Christopher (played by Will Smith’s son, Jaden Smith) is adorable and charming with his obliging

attitude and the amount of trust he puts in his father. The stubbornness that occasionally comes out of

Christopher only adds to it. Overall, this is a constant, seemingly never ending and emotional ‘Pursuit’

for happiness. Only by watching the film and paying close attention will you understand why it was

called The Pursuit of Happyness.

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Moulin Rouge! (12A) Miss Roberts

I have to give a shout out to Moulin Rouge! The hit

romantic/drama/musical film from 2001, which was so popular it was

adapted into a stage show. The film tells the story of a young poet

who falls in love with a cabaret star in Paris in the late 1800s / early

1900s.

The story ties in wonderfully with Topic 5 from the Biology GCSE as

the cabaret star Satine, played by Nicole Kidman, has tuberculosis, a

non-communicable disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium

tuberculosis. Moulin Rouge! is a little like marmite; its flashy and over

the top nature tends to make audiences love it or hate it. For those

that adore the high energy of the theatre and aren’t opposed to

experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions through the vehicle of music,

then this film is a must see!

Sonic the Hedgehog (PG) Anonymous

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I, personally, would rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars. The plot is well created,

but not enough thought has been given into making it the best it can be.

Sonic's personality is shown well, but his backstory and life do not have

enough in them to understand how he lived before everything went wrong.

The plot feels slightly rushed but at the end, you just want to see more. At the

end, there is a hint for the next movie, but it is very brief and it doesn't seem

to make sense: it is rushed and is shown too far into that part, as it shows

Tails arriving.

If I had the opportunity to change a few things, I would make the ending more dramatic, so that it leaves

some new action for the next movie to start off with. I would also give a backstory to the villain to allow

the viewer to understand why he acts the way he does, instead of having the villain briefly explaining a

minor part of it (as it doesn't have the same dramatic effect as a backstory).

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Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam

Joker was the first Hindi

movie to have not one but

two intervals.

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Howl’s Moving Castle (U) Daniel Wainewright - 13S

One of Studio Ghibli’s iconic works (2004), this

charming film tells the story of a sorcerer named Howl

and a young girl named Sophie who is infatuated with

him. Unfortunately for the girl, she’s afflicted with a

curse that turns her into an unflattering old lady.

Packed with magic, mystery, comedy and a moving

soundtrack, this film is sure to put a smile on anyone’s

face. Most importantly, it presents the sweet message

that, with enough love, any curse can be undone.

Gully Boy (12A) Ayush Nagara - 13S

The 2019 Bollywood hit, Gully Boy, revolves around Murad

(portrayed by Ranveer SIngh) who hails from an impoverished family

from the depths of the Dharavi District in Mumbai. He supports his

family by working as a chauffeur, but his fascination with rapping

fuels him to write his own lyrics and pursue his dreams within this

industry.

With the help of local musicians MC Sher and Sky, his videos gain

traction and he goes on to compete in a local rap competition with

the chance of opening for a Nas concert in Mumbai. Ranveer Singh’s

versatility is evident in the songs such as Apna Time Aayega (our

time will come), which the actor has rapped to himself.

The plot is strengthened through the presentation of the economic

contrast between the neighbourhoods of the city, as well as the exploration of ambition, poverty and

difficult family lives. All four main actors of the film were convincing in their portrayals, particularly

Siddhant Chaturvedi’s “MC Sher,” who I thought would end up betraying Murad, but continued

supporting his friend without a devastating heel-turn. The hip-hop orientated film has certainly inspired

struggling rappers to pursue their artistic dreams, with a heart-warming message for those longing to

overcome poverty.

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Kiki’s Delivery Service (U)

Egemen Oztop - 8S

This anime fantasy from 1989 seamlessly connects magic and

adventure with peace and serenity. It tells the coming-of-age

story of Kiki, a young witch who makes a living by beginning

an airborne delivery service. A simplistic plot and sweet

animations deem it suitable for all audiences. The

uncomplicated warmth, charm and humour also prove a nice

change from all the stress which modern films can provide.

All in all, this beautiful classic should easily make its way to

be a classic in your family too.

Dhiraj Venkat - 12C

Leonardo da Vinci once said that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, and Kiki's Delivery Service's

beauty and brilliance is found in its simplicity. However, it doesn’t mean a lack of complexity, but merely

that, presented in a simple way it allows us to focus on what is necessary. Unlike the majority of films,

Kiki's Delivery Service has no antagonist or villain who the protagonist has to overcome: no 'big bad.' So,

with no villain, what exactly is the driving force of this film? The beauty in the ordinary day-to-day life.

Now to many, this may seem mundane however, this is where

Hayao Miyazaki is in his element. Miyazaki’s films often prefer

to paint a scene with pictures and music, not words and Kiki's

Delivery Service is no exception. The film itself is filled with

silent beauty, much like life itself. Life isn’t all excitement and

fighting bad guys; it hardly ever is. Though I highly doubt

anyone knows what life 'is'.

Kiki's Delivery Service does an incredible job in capturing its essence. Kiki lives a mundane life, which

most adults are acquainted with. Yet, there is something quite wonderful in watching a young child

experiencing life as an adult, and the yearn for the idealistic liberation experienced during maturity. In

conclusion, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry stated that ‘perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing

more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away’ and Kiki's Delivery Service finds its balance and

in doing so, cements itself as one of the greats.

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‘I’ (12A) : Is this film worth watching? Varakan Gopu - 13B

The Tamil film, ‘I ‘, directed by Shankar was once regarded as the magnum

opus of Kollywood (Tamil cinema). Starring Vikram (who played Lingesan)

and Amy Jackson (who played Diya), the film was commercially successful:

costing over £10 million to produce, it generated over £24 million at the box

office. This begs the question: what were the factors, which have contributed

to its success? Moreover, is ‘I ‘ really the epitome of what a film should be?

Storyline

One of the key reasons for its success was its plot and overall message. ‘I ‘ is

about Lingesan’s struggles in moving from bodybuilding to the modelling industry. Coupled with the

changing dynamic between Lingesan and Diya (the female protagonist), it highlighted that while

unconditional love takes time to blossom, it will always prevail (even if others seek to diminish it). Since

this sentiment resonates with so many people, the film is definitely one which many of you can relate

to.

The fights between Lingesan and the side characters, scattered throughout the film, were effective. It

did not only highlight how far they would go to ensure that their jealousy (towards Lingesan and Diya

being the new model couple) was quelled, but also made the film more suspenseful, with Shankar using

dramatic slow-motion scenes to depict the demise of certain characters. Comedy is also used in the film,

through Santhanam (who plays Babu). If you are a fan of sarcasm, the fleeting moments of mockery are

definitely worth watching.

However, some critics deemed that the script was ‘wafer-thin’. While I agree that its running time of 188

minutes is excessive, the film still manages to convey its key message effectively, even though the script

can drag on at times.

Music

Both the background score and soundtrack album to ‘I ‘ was composed by A.R. Rahman, a renowned

Indian composer. Like many films in the Indian subcontinent, music is integral to captivate the audience.

Rahman described the songs as ‘Desi EDM’. To me, it is an eclectic blend of modern and traditional

Indian music: one that is familiar, yet also refreshing.

Yet, it is not the music that is controversial. In fact, it is the music video for one of the songs ‘Aila Aila’. In

this video, one of the scenes entails Lingesan and Diya shooting a commercial for ‘Fair and Lovely’ - a

skin whitening product, predominantly used by Indian women. At first glance, this may not seem

contentious. It is merely a reflection of the advertisements that typically air on Indian television. On

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closer inspection, this video could be damaging to impressionable viewers. It propagates the idea that

lighter skin leads to better opportunities, with Diya only being admired after she wears the skin

lightening cream.

Costumes & Location

One thing that all critics praise about ‘I ‘ is its beauty. While filming

was primarily conducted in India, around 25% of all filming took

place in China (over the course of 50 days). For example, the song

‘Pookkalae Sattru Oyivedungal’ was filmed in Red Beach in Panjin

and in Li River. Therefore, the film is mesmerising to see from start

to finish.

Furthermore, prosthetics were extensively used. In comparison to using CGI, the prosthetics - used to

highlight the characters’ decline - made the characters look ghastly. Through using prosthetics,

Shankar’s intent was to make the love story between Lingesan and Diya seem like Beauty and the Beast.

These were made by Weta (a prosthetics company, who also made special effects for Lord of the Rings).

Is it worth watching the film?

All in all, I would recommend anyone to watch this film. The film, which is originally shot in Tamil, has

been dubbed in Telugu and Hindi. However, you can always use English subtitles to understand the film.

While it is not the epitome of what a film is, with the controversy of colourism, everyone should watch

it. Hopefully, you too can discover through this film that love ultimately has no barriers or boundaries.

Amelie (15)

Ms Amoako-Williams

This is a whimsical love story set in Paris in the late 90s. As ridiculous

and quirky as the characters seem, at the heart of the story we see

lost adults just trying to make their own ordinary, sometimes very

mundane lives, magical and beautiful. A heart-warming and uplifting

film, I recommend it to all!

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Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (12A)

Abhinav Kachiraju - 10S

Overview

First off, it is an Indian movie, starring ‘Stylish Star’ Allu

Arjun and Pooja Hegde. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (or

AVL for short) is a well-packaged, entertaining movie

that has several positive points. It is a feel-good family

entertainer. Despite many issues and some cliched

sequences, it makes an entertaining watch during this

festive period.

The music is top-notch. It is set in the soft-tinted,

beautifully framed, pastel hued cotton-candy-land that

Trivikram Srinivas (the director) builds. The evil-doers here are left to their own devices, in the hope that

karma will get to them. And when that does not work, they are of course beaten black and blue, but in

style.

The film sets up a lot of characters and ends up highlighting scenarios that are completely implausible.

But the film’s biggest strength is that you buy it all. The bane of Bantu’s (Allu Arjun’s character name)

existence is his father Valmiki (Murli Sharma, giving one of the best performances ever). The older man

likes putting down his ‘son’ at every opportunity, reminding him of his fate for having been born in a

middle-class family. He seems more interested in his boss Ramachandra’s (Jayram) son Raj Manohar

(Sushanth A) than his own and there is a reason for it.

In the chaos that ensues, Bantu finds out the truth about his father’s evil deeds, and how he switched

Bantu with Ramachandra’s son at birth. With this newly begotten information, Bantu enters

Vaikunthapurram (the lavish home Ramachandra and his family stay at) in a bid to help the family mend

relationships.

Songs

No Indian movie is finished without songs, and in AVL, there is no disappointment. There is no denying

the fact that the music album of AVL is the best in recent times. Thaman is in the form of his life and

churns out a blockbuster album that everyone looks forward to a big film. Every song is special and has

its own charm. Very rarely does it happen that all the songs of an album click in a big way and AVL is one

example. The songs have taken the film’s buzz to another level and Thaman needs to be especially

credited for doing a terrific job. There are 5 block-buster songs, some of which are listed below.

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● Song 1: The first song of AVL is OMG Daddy. In this song, Thaman keeps the tune and beat

simple, letting the lyrics and singing take center stage. Roll Rida’s rap makes this song quite

effective. The song has a trendy beat and has been shot in a very stylish manner and will click

once the stylish visuals impress the audience.

● Song 4: The fourth song in the album is the title number. The song starts on a very traditional

note and the singers take it to another level by giving the song an old school touch. But once the

main part comes, Thaman gives it a stylish touch with the chorus crooning the title hookup line

in a special manner.

Rating

However, this is not a pitch perfect film. It has its downsides. I believe that some of the actors did not

get to do much, and their roles were not up to the levels you would expect from them. I also believe

that the editing standards in the second part of the film were not as high as the level during the first

half. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo has a little bit of everything. Despite the clichéd and predictable

storyline, Trivikram manages to make it work and deliver what he promises.

Lupin (15) Film Club Team

Lupin is a thrilling French series, starring the popular Omar Sy as Assane

Diop. Packed with intriguing heists, drama and emotional flashbacks,

the series is easy to binge and is set in beautiful Parisian locations and

the countryside of Normandy. Sy's character, although unbelievable at

times, is a loveable anti-hero whose vendetta against the sinister

Monsieur Pellegrini gives the plot its foundations.

The aforementioned villain, depicted by Hervé Pierre, makes an

extremely detestable and corrupt bourgeois, while the police unit's

attempt - to find Diop - makes an entertaining sub-story. Although the

heist and mystery gimmick gets slightly repetitive by season 2, the next

season will be highly anticipated which will surely be filled with more

twists, red-herrings and the charming Assane Diop.

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In the first few episodes of The

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith

used to memorise the entire script,

so he can sometimes be seen

mouthing other actors’ lines.

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Alice in Borderland (15)

Daniel Wainewright - 13S

After watching Netflix’s hit TV series Squid Game (15), I was

enchanted by the horror-thriller subgenre of ‘death game’ that’s

been plaguing our screens for decades. Being a very popular sub-

genre in Asia ever since the iconic Japanese film Battle Royale (18),

another death game wasn’t too hard to find.

Both a friend and my Netflix account recommended the Japanese

show Alice in Borderland, and it quickly enraptured me. Across its 9

episodes, the thrilling games of physicality, wit and betrayal with

lethal consequences at every turn never fail to keep the watcher on

their toes. Each game had innovative twists which consistently

surprised me, with the main character, a compulsive video-gamer

named Arisu, always outwitting them, and trying to survive in a

largely abandoned, cut-throat parallel Tokyo.

If you enjoyed Squid Game, this gory show with tigers, lasers, floods and samurai swords is definitely

one to watch, especially with a second season due to come out next year!

I May Destroy You (18) Ms Amaoko-Williams

This is a critically acclaimed series that is powerful in its

exploration of what consent means. Award-winning writer and

starring actress Michaela Coel encourages us to be introspective

and forcefully addresses the following questions: why is it, that

even now, victims of sexual assault are blamed? How do those

who sexually assault manage to frame the narrative in order to

make their actions seem excusable? Why does “rape” still appear

to be gendered even in such a seemingly progressive society?

(Ms Wells Cole also recommends this for fans of Normal People

(15), but she thinks it is sharper.)

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Lucifer (12) Atharva Narkhede - 13G

Lucifer is an incredible fusion of the supernatural with humanity.

Initially, the concept may be difficult for the viewer to grasp,

however, one is hit by surprise at how they have managed to

watch hours on end.

As Lucifer is originally the fallen angel (or the devil), he

incessantly lures out people’s “deepest and darkest” desires in

the earlier seasons, not to mention the fact that he indulges in

his very own – music, alcohol and more! This devil is not the

regular kind that one would expect; this one’s a charmer with

intrinsic goodness and is portrayed as irresistible to all but one

human on the show: Detective Chloe Decker. She is immune to

his mojo (watch the show to find out why) but falls for him as

the show progresses.

Arguably, it is the same for the viewers as Tom Ellis’ witty sense

of humour is seen in the very first episode, and this undoubtedly

hooks anyone in immediately. His comic timing is impeccable due to his sarcasm and charisma, and he is

the only character with a British accent, which adds to the overall comedy when he ridicules others on

screen.

However, the show tops most others because of the complex themes it explores, such as the self-

actualisation of angels. Lucifer, on his retirement vacation in Los Angeles from Hell, experiences the loss

of his wings, which he is later able to regrow through advice from his therapist, Dr Linda Martin. She has

a significant role in his self-actualisation, as does Chloe.

The idea of a vulnerable celestial was really unique, which came about as a result of him self-actualising,

as Lucifer chooses to be vulnerable around Chloe. In later seasons, the viewer stumbles upon a bizarre

concept of a half-celestial and half-human being as well as time travelling, which simply leaves them in

awe. However, the one aspect that stands out the most is the possibility of a new God. This leads to one

of Lucifer’s most famous dialogues to conclude season 5: “Oh my me!”

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Cobra Kai (12) Ayush Nagara - 13S

When the announcement of the sequel series to

the iconic Karate Kid (12) films was made, some

were dubious over whether it would do justice to

the world of Daniel LaRusso and company, but

after watching three seasons, I can vouch for the

fact that it is frighteningly easy to indulge in Cobra

Kai. Set in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the new

protagonist of Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) seeks

karate lessons from a middle-aged Johnny Lawrence, who once again crosses paths with

LaRusso, while restarting the Cobra Kai Dojo.

The genre is rather fluid as it blends aspects of comedy, action and drama whilst upholding the

nostalgia from The Karate Kid. The fact that the same actors in the original movie had their

roles reprised adds to the show's authenticity. 34 years after the original movies, the new

generation of Miguel, Daniel’s daughter and Johnny’s son bring a fresh face to the franchise.

The series does a fantastic job of catering to both the older fans of The Karate Kid, as well as

new-age Cobra Kai fans, by drawing many parallels between the plots and making frequent

references to the past.

The character arcs and development are particularly interesting as the show deals with bullying,

love, break-ups and redemption. As the seasons progress, you won’t get a sense that the series

forces its way through more episodes. Instead, you crave so many more seasons to come

(which will hopefully be the case).

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may

Die Hard, Mean Girls

and Jaws are all movies

which have been

adapted from books.

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Holes (PG) Pratham Jawarahani - 7S

Holes, made in 2003, is a comedy film inspired by the book of the same

name, which was written by Louis Sachar.

The movie is about a young tween called Stanley Yelnats, who finds himself

accused of theft. He then lands up in the deceptively named Camp Green

Lake, where he finds himself digging a hole every day in the heat. As Stanley

uncovers secrets about his great-great-grandfather, he also finds a long-lost

possession.

I recommend this movie to people aged 11-14 years old, as it is very funny

and adventurous with many plot twists.

Wonder (PG) Nikhil Kumar Karnam - 7B

Wonder is a drama and family movie that was filmed and released in 2017,

directed by Stephen Chbosky. It is the film version of the book Wonder

written by R.J Palacio.

It follows the story of a boy with a rare facial feature, as a result of Treacher

Collins Syndrome, called August Pullman, who enters a private school in fifth

grade. It is extremely nerve-wracking for August, also known as Auggie, as he

was home-schooled for over five years, and he was scared about being

bullied about his appearance. He is greeted politely in the school by the head

teacher, but also has to tackle the bullies in the school.

This story is extremely touching and it teaches many life-lessons, including

being compassionate and not judging others due to their disabilities. I highly recommend that anyone of

any age watch this beautiful film. This film is a testament to the message that it doesn't matter who you

are, you can achieve anything. You can watch it on Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

‘When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.’ - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

‘Be kind, for everyone is fighting hard battles.’ - Socrates (but said by Auggie Pullman in the film)

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (PG) Viraaj Malik - 7S

Author: J.K. Rowling

Director: Chris Columbus

Genre: Fiction

Characters

The main characters are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione

Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Lord Voldemort /

Professor Quirrell, Professor McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid.

These characters all come together to make the movie

intriguing and amazing.

Storyline

It is about a boy called Harry Potter who has earned a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft

and Wizardry. He finds out when he is 11 that he is a wizard from Rubeus Hagrid, who Harry

hasn’t met until his surprising and dramatic entrance. Harry picks up many things on the way

and a great year awaits him at Hogwarts.

Rating and Recommendations

I would rate this 5/5, because the components of the film all combine to make it extraordinary

to watch. I would definitely recommend this film to all ages, because it is engaging. I hope you

enjoy watching this masterpiece.

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Did you know that no one

in Mr Elwood’s classes has

seen The Italian Job?

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Mr Polniaszek

● The Italian Job (PG) is so stylish.

● To Sir With Love (PG) gives a view of London and a time which

simply no longer exists, albeit a rosy-eyed view.

● IF (15) : True dystopia.

Mr Edge

● Spirited Away (PG) : Hayao Miyazaki’s anime masterpiece. A tour

de force of imagination, creating a carousel of breath-taking images

and scenes that, once seen, can never be forgotten.

● Casablanca (U) : Ask 100 people and this would feature in their

top five films more than most. Love, friendship, drama, patriotism, a

sparkling script with some terrific-one liners; what more could you

want?

Mrs Ware

● I would love to suggest a really old classic film called Kind Hearts and Coronets (PG). It

is one of the Ealing comedy series of films and has a wonderful twist at the end. I would

just say that the various murders are very gently and humorously done on screen. There

is nothing gory about it at all.

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Mr Elwood

● The Italian Job (PG) – A true classic. Michael Caine in his

prime. An action-packed heist movie. What more could you

want?

● Monty Python films (12A) – a good selection to choose

from. Some received a huge amount of criticism when released

so watching them will give you some idea of public opinion at

the time. Enormously silly; enormous fun.

Miss Horton

● Little Miss Sunshine (15) – A fun, heart-warming film

with a fantastic cast and a witty script.

● 12 Angry Men (U) – It’s old, it’s in black and white, and

nearly the whole film is set in one room - but it will

keep you gripped until the end!

Ms O’Dowd

● Under the category of Classic Films which students need to see, I recommend anything

directed by Akira Kurosawa and a few films by Orson Wales, such as Citizen Kane (U) or

The Magnificent Ambersons (U).

● Out of the modern classics, I recommend films directed by Clint Eastwood. My favourite

is Gran Torino (15).

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Ms Wells-Cole

● Private Life (15) stars Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giammati as a couple trying to conceive in increasingly desperate circumstances. Hilarious but brutal, and about a topic not often seen in cinema.

● A classic: The Innocents (12A) – starring Deborah Kerr as the governess in this classic based on Henry James’s novella ‘The Turn of the Screw’, and almost as sinister, ambiguous and unsettling as the novella itself. Is the house haunted? Or are the children playing pranks? Is there a mysterious man in the garden? Or just in the governess’s head?

● The West Wing (U) – classic alternative facts viewing for when real politics gets too much.

● The Wire (15) – I think you could study an episode of this show as you would a literary

text. Brilliant acting and writing, about drug dealers and police in a deprived area of Baltimore and which exposes the flawed societal systems that lead some people to crime.

Ms Amoako-Williams

● Normal People (15) – It is a moving and realistic portrayal of depression and anxiety and how it can affect the most able. It gives a more nuanced representation of life at university, while having a thoughtful representation of privilege. It also has one of the best TV representations of sexual consent.

● It’s a Sin (15) – This possesses the ability to simultaneously educate, induce humour and

reduce you to tears! Set in the 1980s to early 90s at the height of the AIDS epidemic, it explores the widespread effects of the virus on the LGBTQ+ community, including allies. Its timing could not be more fitting in encouraging us to destigmatise a disease that we did not expect and cannot understand. One of the best TV Series of 2021!

● Black Mirror (15) – My favourite episodes from this TV series are ‘Nosedive’ which addresses people’s obsessive need for validation, ‘The Entire History of You’ which explores toxic relationships and ‘White Bear’.